Her voice has healed and continues to heal a lot of people.
Many consider it angelic; the kind of voice that soothes, uplifts and makes it seem like everything is going to be okay.
She breathes life into her music independently from conceptualising, writing to composing.
Now that she has taken a step back from the spotlight of the industry, her focus has been redirected to holding up others’ spotlights and nurturing them on their musical journeys.
As the second annual Basadi In Music Awards ceremony approaches, Asandi Mvana, affectionately known as Msaki has taken up the task to mentor the five women nominated under the new Emerging Artist Of The Year category.
Last month, Nando's and the Southern African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) hosted a workshop for the finalists and other aspiring young songwriters which was led by Msaki.
Read More | Msaki takes a break from the spotlight to focus on herself - 'Please release me'
“It’s days like this that make me feel closer to the truest version of myself and closer to the source,” Msaki says.
“I’m not here because I’m a good teacher or the best songwriter, but I recognise that I’m here because I’m a good student of creativity and a great encourager, relentlessly chasing the soul of the song. To more days like this!”
In addition to holding the title of being the best emerging artist of the year, finalists – Black Villain, BUZZI Lee, Gemma Fassie, Noluthando Ngema and Qaqamba Ntshinka - are competing for a year-long mentorship with the award-winning artist.
Speaking to Drum about it, she says, “[The experience] has been great. They are super talented and are self-starters. They got themselves recognised by different institutions that have collaborated to have this category and award. [They were] handpicked by Bridges academy and I trust their team because I’m a mentor there and a board member there and it’s essentially a music school and the winner is [going to] get a scholarship there.”
“They are just so clear about their lane, sound and brand. It’s very impressive.”
During the workshop, Msaki says she took the aspiring songwriters through the value chain of music.
From when one writes down lyrics to their songs in their room and to people’s reception of the final product.
In each of the steps from songwriting to sharing your work with the world, her approach is focused on preserving the soul of the song.
She adds that she has also conducted one-on-one sessions with them to ensure that they understand the entire music business, themselves as not only businesses but also vessels.
“I’m also just trying to help them avoid the stupid things that we did growing up as independent artists, essentially trying to extend my ceiling as their floor. We don’t all have to go through the same stuff and independence doesn’t really mean that you have to walk [the path] alone.
“It’s essentially why I’m a mentor and why I run a space to support artists, why I’ve been running a space to support independent artists for the past six years,” says the singer and songwriter.
More than anything, the Fetch Your Life hitmaker serves as a sounding board for the finalists and treats each of them as different cases in which she gets to understand their needs and goals.
As someone who has been an independent artist her whole career, she shares with Drum the hardships she has faced on her journey that she educates the finalists about, so they don’t fall for the traps along the way.
“Being an independent artist is having freedom to creatively associate with people who resonate with your art journey and some people may find that in one record label but it’s difficult so I’m just saying to them – before they make decisions, sign contracts or do anything drastic that might affect the rest of their career, can they at least understand how everything works and how it aligns with what’s best for them as individuals.”
Admitting that her mentoring strategy is not a one-size-fits all, she also says that she wants them to understand that there are creative seasons.
“I burned out so one of the things I’m speaking to them about is understanding creative seasons, understanding that success is actually a life of balance, and I’m trying to share that with them early on. If you’re booked and busy, it’s a good thing but I’m just trying to keep it in the back of their minds that being a decent family member, being an available community member and being a person who knows how to rest and say no is just as important as being able to chase every single dream and every single gig and say yes to your moment.”
For her, she believes that the mistake she made was to not register in time that her moment was not going to disappear and that she needed to take it easy.
When she finally began self-correcting and introspecting, she had to admit to herself that in as much as she’s grateful for the opportunities that come her way. She had to get rid of the fear of rejecting certain things in order to be more present for her children because “I’d rather be with my kids”.
Read More | Basadi in Music Awards back to celebrate more women artists and creatives, with new categories
“That’s the biggest mistake I made. I allowed myself to get to a point where I couldn’t give anymore because I had just stretched myself too far. As an independent artist, [another] mistake I made was hiring a staff member on a salary before I knew how much I could make each month. I had an admin assistant and no matter what I make; whether I get 16 gigs or get no gigs, this person was expecting a salary from me.”
Now that she knows what she knows, she advises that artists have booking agents who will get a percentage from the paying work that they bring to the table.
“When it comes to your team, management or anyone that’s going to be a part of your business, do not put people on a salary before they could show you value and before you know that your business can support their needs,” she advises.
Although she has formally left the music spotlight, she continues to pour into the music industry through her business which she calls a social enterprise. ALT BLK has an international footprint and provides support to local artists with their various needs.
